DHJ Quick Take
- Health Disagreement: Giannis Antetokounmpo remains frustrated with the Milwaukee Bucks for barring him from play despite his personal belief that he had recovered from a knee hyperextension and bone bruise.
- Family Aspirations: A significant driver for his frustration was the missed opportunity to share the court with both of his brothers, Thanasis and Alex.
- Trade Inevitability: Following a season of internal friction, the Bucks’ highest levels of ownership and the front office have reportedly accepted that trading Giannis this offseason is a reality.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is still frustrated that the Milwaukee Bucks didn’t let him play despite his assertion that he was healthy after he suffered a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise in March.
Antetokounmpo wanted to play with his brothers, Thanasis and Alex, but the Bucks said he wasn’t physically ready to play.
“At this point? Zero,” Antetokounmpo said when asked if he had control over his situation, via ESPN. “I don’t have control. Being cleared to play, I don’t understand … from my understanding, coming back to play, which I don’t think I ever had any return-to-play protocol, but to my understanding was I had to play 3-on-3 to be able to be available to play. I did that multiple times. I’ve never in my life denied participation of practice.
“I don’t know who said that, who came up with that, but that’s disrespectful towards what I’ve done for this team and the way I carry myself my whole career, pretty much. But I did what I was supposed to do. I wasn’t able to come on the court now. Who has that say? It probably comes from my boss, probably comes from the members of the front office or the owners. So, I thought I had control, kind of like, ‘OK, if I’m healthy, I’m going to play.’ But this shows me that not just me, just players in general, don’t have no control. We got to do what we’ve been told. So, to answer your question, no. I didn’t feel like I had control.”
Antetokounmpo appeared in only 36 games this season. He averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 62.4% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 65.0% from the free-throw line. The Bucks went 17-19 when Antetokounmpo played.
Most people who cover the NBA expect the Bucks and Antetokounmpo to finally part ways this offseason. Antetokounmpo was nearly traded at this year’s trade deadline. He was heavily pursued by the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors.
A future Hall of Famer, Antetokounmpo has spent his entire NBA career with the Bucks. He’s a two-time MVP, one-time Finals MVP, one-time Defensive Player of the Year and 10-time All-Star. Antetokounmpo guided Milwaukee to the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns in six games. The Bucks have won only one playoff series since then.
Antetokounmpo will make $58.5 million next season. He has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season. The swingman is eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million extension with the Bucks on October 1. If he declines the extension, Antetokounmpo will be traded, per Milwaukee co-owner Wes Edens.
“We’ll see when we get there,” Antetokounmpo said. “We have [several] months [until then] … it’s a long time. But somebody has to offer you that, for you to sign. I haven’t been offered an extension. So, if that is on the table, then I will try to make the best decision for me and my family. But if it’s not on the table, then I have to focus on how can I improve my worth and get on the floor and do what I do.”
The Bucks went just 32-50 this season. Doc Rivers has already stepped down as head coach after going 97-103 in the regular season and 3-8 in the playoffs with the franchise.
All in all, the 2025-26 campaign was a disaster for Milwaukee.
“We’re very bad. We are the furthest away that we’ve been in the last couple of years,” Antetokounmpo said. “How many wins we have? 32? This is the second-lowest wins I’ve ever won. So yeah, we’re the furthest away that we’ve been, I think. So, we’ll see. This is what we have in front of us. I didn’t think we’re going to be in this position last year, so I don’t know what position we’re going to be next year. So, if everything goes well, hopefully, the Bucks want me here, why not? But if they don’t? OK.”
Antetokounmpo holds career averages of 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. It will be fascinating to see where he’s playing next season.
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